Working Outdoors: Heat Protection Regulation to Come in 2026
Those who work outdoors should be better protected from heat starting in 2026. This is made possible by the heat protection regulation, which will be reviewed on Wednesday. In the National Council, SPÖ Social Minister Korinna Schumann described the step as a "milestone." Employers will have to implement a heat protection plan when GeoSphere Austria issues a heat warning of at least level two (30 to 34 degrees).
Heat Protection Regulation to Come into Effect in 2026
The heat protection regulation is set to come into effect on January 1, 2026. It includes a mandatory provision for cooling or air conditioning in crane cabins and self-propelled work equipment - after all, temperatures of 50 degrees have been measured in a crane cabin, said Schumann. There will be transition periods for retrofitting. The heat protection plan must be accessible to all employees at workplaces, construction sites, and external work locations.
The focus is on hazard prevention, said Schumann. This includes shifting working hours or reducing the intensity of work. If this is only possible to a limited extent, technical and organizational measures such as shading the workplace or relocating the activity to the shade must be taken. If this is also only possible to a limited extent, personal measures such as light clothing, head protection, or sunscreen are needed.
Heat Protection Regulation to Bring More Clarity
Indoor workplaces are already protected by the Workplace Ordinance, said Schumann, but there has been no protection regulation for those outdoors until now. The Heat Protection Ordinance is also intended to provide more clarity for employers, who often did not know how to act during a heatwave. Additionally, it makes it easier for labor inspection to identify deficiencies.
Employee representatives naturally welcomed the plan: "Measures against heat not only protect employees but also prevent illness-related absences and thus economic damage," said Silvia Rosoli, head of the Safety, Health, and Work Department of the AK Vienna. "Without measures against heat, sick leaves, emergency transports, and hospital stays accumulate," Rosoli also pointed out the benefits of employee protection for public budgets.
"The labor inspectorate can then also conduct inspections - an important step towards more health and safety," noted Dorottya Kickinger, ÖGB expert for employee protection. However, employees in indoor areas such as heated offices, factory halls, the transport sector, care facilities, or classrooms must also be better protected, according to Kickinger.
Muchitsch Also Sees "Milestone"
There was naturally great joy over the new regulation from the top construction unionist, FSG chief, and SPÖ politician Josef Muchitsch. Like Schumann, he sees "a real milestone for employee protection, especially on construction sites and in physically demanding professions. The health of employees takes precedence over construction progress - this principle is now also legally valid," it was stated in a press release on Wednesday evening. The social partners have done an excellent job.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.